Furthermore, the Roman Curia IS full of political-minded players, and not all of them playing on the same team.
FWIW, here's my view:
From the moment he was elected, Pope Benedict made it clear that he hadn't wanted to be Pope: he said that the announcement felt "like a guillotine blade coming down."
Knowing that at his age he'd only have a few years, and knowing all the sotto-voce skulduggery that goes on in any big institution, especially the Roman Curia, I'm betting he has been planning for his successor from Day One back in April 2005.
He's a patient man. He's planned 15 moves ahead, putting the chess pieces in place. Now, announcing RIGHT before Lent, he's basically forcing the Cardinals to wrap it up quick, because none of them wants to be out of their Diocese for the whole Holy Season, and certainly not for Easter.
Plus, with Benedict still being alive, they can each of them come in to consult with him, personally, if they want, about his successor. And he can undermine the plotters (yes, there are plotters, too: people who side with the Enemy.) This careful planning--- I hope --- is the long-term architecture of the thing. I think Benedict's moves are wise, Spirit-guided, brilliant.
Then, Benedict is going to retire to a life of intense prayer in a monastic setting.
Something big coming.
Really big.
Good Christian friends, good people: pray, pray. pray.
It appears to me that he is not strong enough to fight the Catholic “machine”.
It appears he wanted to clean up the Vatican Bank but maybe it can’t be cleaned up.
When you have an organization that has been standing as long as the Catholic Church - there are very powerful forces you have to contend with.
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“”What you have to understand, John, is that sometimes there are forces and events too big, too powerful, with so much at stake for other people or institutions, that you cannot do anything about them, not matter how evil or wrong they are and no matter how dedicated or sincere you are or how much evidence you have. That is simply one of the hard facts of life you have to face.” ~ William Colby - Former CIA director found dead after a boating accident.